Justicia adhatoda L.

 Family: Acanthaceae

Synonym: Adatoda arborea Raf., Adhatoda adhatoda (L.) Huth, Adhatoda pubescens Moench

Vernacular names: Aadalodakam Pothadalotakam Vasica(Malayalam)

Habit: Shrub

Habitat: Open areas

Distribution: Indo-Malesia

Flowering and fruiting: February- April

Key identification features: Leaves opposite, elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, light green above, dark beneath, leathery. Flowers large, white with red or yellow-barred throats, borne in compact, axillary, pedunculate spikes. Fruit is a capsule.

Uses: Flowers are eaten fried. Used in cough, cold, allergy, it is helpful in treating spitting of blood, fever, jaundice, vomiting, thirst, loss of appetite, and constipation.